Ryuu Lion looked at the book Syr was holding out to her, her face full of resistance.
It was a grimoire.
A dark red gem was set into the cover, giving off a faint glow beneath the tavern's dim yellow lights.
Just looking at it, she could feel the immense magic sealed inside.
Ryuu knew exactly how valuable something like this was.
A single grimoire cost at least a hundred million valis, and even then, it was the kind of treasure that almost never appeared on the market.
And now, Syr wanted to hand something that precious to her?
"No."
Ryuu shook her head, a trace of resolve in her voice.
"I can't accept it."
She took a step back, as if trying to put distance between herself and the outrageous generosity being offered to her.
Syr looked at her like that and, rather than getting upset, simply smiled.
The smile was gentle and accepting, as though she had expected this reaction from the very beginning.
"Ryuu, you need this grimoire, don't you?"
Her voice was soft, yet it carried a kind of force that made it hard to argue with her.
Ryuu fell silent.
She did need it.
The condition Genichi had given her was a grimoire.
Only if she got one would he tell her where that person was.
Only if she learned that person's whereabouts could she find him, and then...
Take her revenge.
She had waited for so long, struggled for so long, all for this moment.
But...
"I can't just take it for nothing."
Ryuu lifted her head and looked at Syr.
In those emerald eyes was a stubborn seriousness that would not yield.
"This grimoire is too valuable. I can't just accept it like this."
Syr looked at her, the smile on her face deepening.
"Who said you'd be taking it for nothing?"
She blinked.
"I'm only guaranteeing it for you. Take the grimoire and use it first. Once you've earned enough money later, you can pay me back."
She paused for a moment.
"I trust you. You're not going to dodge the debt, right?"
Ryuu answered on instinct.
"Of course not!"
Only after saying it did she realize she had already been led into Syr's rhythm.
Syr's smile grew even brighter.
"Then that settles it."
She held the grimoire out to Ryuu again.
"Take it."
Ryuu looked at the grimoire, then at Syr's amber eyes, so full of sincerity, and felt something complicated stir in her chest.
She knew Syr was helping her.
Ever since the first day she had come to this tavern, this girl had always treated her well.
Back when she had collapsed in an alley, it was Syr who found her and brought her back to the tavern.
Later, when she had nowhere to go, it was Syr who convinced Mia to take her in.
And now that she needed a grimoire, it was Syr again who had found a way to get one.
Ryuu had always remembered that kindness.
And precisely because of that, she did not want to put Syr in a difficult position.
If she took this grimoire, Syr would be the one standing surety for her.
If she could not repay the money, then Syr would bear the responsibility.
How could that be acceptable?
"But..."
Ryuu still wanted to refuse.
Syr did not give her the chance.
"Ryuu."
Her voice turned serious.
"You trust me, don't you?"
Ryuu looked at her, a complicated emotion flashing through those green eyes.
Of course she trusted Syr.
In this world, aside from the companions who were already dead, Syr was the person she trusted most.
"Then take it."
Syr pressed the grimoire into her hands.
"You need it."
Ryuu lowered her eyes to the grimoire in her hands and fell silent for a moment.
Then she took a deep breath and raised her head to look at Syr again.
Those emerald eyes were now filled with firm determination.
"I'll pay you back. No matter what."
Her voice was quiet, but utterly resolute.
Syr smiled.
It was a bright, radiant smile, like the warmest sunlight of spring.
"Of course. I believe you."
What Ryuu did not know was this:
This grimoire had never been "bought on credit from some merchant through Syr's connections."
Its true source was Freya.
She knew Genichi wanted a grimoire.
She knew he had used that condition to make things difficult for Ryuu.
She knew Ryuu had been worrying over it.
So she made a decision.
Through Ryuu's hands, she would deliver this grimoire to Genichi.
As for the part about making Ryuu pay the money back...
That was only an excuse.
To an ordinary person, a grimoire was an astronomical expense. To Freya, it was barely worth mentioning.
She did not care about that amount of money.
What she cared about was that boy.
That boy whose soul held filth and brilliance at the same time.
She wanted to get close to him. She wanted to understand him.
And then, to make him hers.
Giving him a grimoire would create the perfect link between them.
Ryuu would take the grimoire to Genichi, and Genichi would know Syr had helped him.
He would owe her a favor.
And after that, she would have every reason to approach him.
Perfect.
"Well then, go on."
Syr waved a hand at Ryuu.
"Don't keep Genichi waiting too long."
Ryuu nodded.
She asked Mia for leave, then quickly left The Benevolent Mistress.
The grimoire in her hands felt heavy.
But her heart was full of anticipation.
With this grimoire, Genichi would finally tell her where that man was.
Then she would finally be able to...
Take revenge.
Inside the tavern, Mia walked over to Syr and watched Ryuu's departing figure, a complicated look passing through her eyes.
"So this time, who have you set your sights on?"
Her voice was low, touched with helplessness.
Syr turned to look at her, a faint smile on her face.
"Haven't you already guessed?"
Mia was silent for a moment, then let out a sigh.
"That kid's got rotten luck."
To be noticed by Freya really was the worst kind of misfortune.
She had seen too many people catch Freya's eye.
Those adventurers, no matter how proud or steadfast they had been at first, all ended up becoming part of her collection.
Without exception.
That boy named Genichi looked strong, calm, and capable.
But in front of Freya, none of that would be enough.
That goddess of beauty had more than enough ways to make people submit.
All Mia could do was silently pity the boy.
She only hoped...
That he would hold out a little longer.
At the Demeter Familia.
Inside Genichi's room, he was organizing his equipment, preparing to enter the Dungeon again the next day.
Just then, there was a soft knock at the door.
"Genichi, it's me."
Ryuu's voice.
Genichi froze slightly.
Ryuu?
Why was she here?
"Come in."
The door opened.
Ryuu walked in and stopped in front of him.
Those emerald eyes were shining with a complicated emotion.
Genichi looked at her, a faint note of surprise passing through his gaze.
"Something wrong?"
Ryuu took a deep breath.
Then she pulled a book from her clothes and held it out to him.
It was a grimoire.
A dark red gem was set into the cover, giving off a faint glow under the lamplight.
Genichi's pupils contracted slightly.
A grimoire?
"This is what I promised you."
Ryuu's voice was calm, but the excitement she could not fully hide still bled through.
"A grimoire."
"Now can you tell me where that person is?"
Genichi did not answer at once.
He simply stared at the grimoire, a complicated light flickering through his black eyes.
Ryuu had actually managed to find a grimoire?
In less than a month?
With her financial situation, how could that possibly be...
(End of Chapter)
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